Neville Goddard on Matthew 3:13-17 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read Matthew 3 in context

Scripture Focus

13Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

14But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

15And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

16And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Matthew 3:13-17

Biblical Context

Jesus goes to John to be baptized; John hesitates, but Jesus insists on fulfilling righteousness, and after the rite the heavens open as the Spirit descends and a voice declares his beloved status.

Neville's Inner Vision

Matthew 3:13-17 presents an inner drama: the Jordan is the stream of consciousness, John a voice of old condition, and Jesus the higher Self awakening to its divine identity. John hesitates, for he sees a need for conversion in Jesus that asks him to surrender his own sense of authority. Jesus replies that submitting to this rite is how righteousness is fulfilled within. The baptism then is not a mere ritual, but a symbolic washing of limitation, an entry into a deeper I AM awareness. When Jesus rises from the water and the heavens open, the Spirit descends, and the voice proclaims You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. This is your inner scene: the self that you truly are is acknowledged and approved by the I AM. Nothing external is granted; all is an inner decree already written in your consciousness. The transformation comes as you consent, feel the air of grace, and hear the inner verdict confirming your divine status.

Practice This Now

Close your eyes and place yourself at the Jordan within. Say I am ready to be baptized into my true self, feel the water wash away resistance, then invite the Spirit to descend and listen for the inner verdict that you are beloved and well pleasing to the I AM.